The Physiological and Perceptual Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Performance in Trained Female Cyclists: Preliminary Findings

Authors

  • Megan Smith School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE113TU, UK
  • Richard A. Ferguson School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE113TU, UK
  • Laura A. Barrett School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE113TU, UK
  • Emma O’Donnell School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE113TU, UK

Keywords:

Menstrual Cycle, Cycling Performance

Abstract

N/A

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References

Carmichael, M. A., Thomson, R. L., Moran, L. J., & Wycherley, T. P. (2021). The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041667

Constantini, N. W., Dubnov, G., & Lebrun, C. M. (2005). The Menstrual Cycle and Sport Performance. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 24(2), e51–e82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2005.01.003

Frankovich, R. J., & Lebrun, C. M. (2000). MENSTRUAL CYCLE, CONTRACEPTION, AND PERFORMANCE. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 19(2), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0278-5919(05)70202-7

Janse de Jonge, X. A. K. (2003). Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Exercise Performance. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 33(11), 833–851. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200333110-00004

Lebrun, C. M. (1994). The Effect of the Phase of the Menstrual Cycle and the Birth Control Pill on Athletic Performance. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 13(2), 419–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0278-5919(20)30339-2

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McKay, A. K. A., Stellingwerff, T., Smith, E. S., Martin, D. T., Mujika, I., Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L., Sheppard, J., & Burke, L. M. (2022). Defining Training and Performance Caliber: a Participant Classification Framework. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0451

McNulty, K. L., Elliott-Sale, K. J., Dolan, E., Swinton, P. A., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., & Hicks, K. M. (2020). The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic women: a Systematic Review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(10), 1813–1827.

Schaumberg, M. A., Jenkins, D. G., Janse de Jonge, X. A. K., Emmerton, L. M., & Skinner, T. L. (2017). Three-step method for menstrual and oral contraceptive cycle verification. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(11), 965–969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.08.013

Published

2026-11-04

How to Cite

Smith, M., Ferguson, R. A., Barrett, L. A., & O’Donnell, E. (2026). The Physiological and Perceptual Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Performance in Trained Female Cyclists: Preliminary Findings. Journal of Science and Cycling, 15(2), 41. Retrieved from https://www.jsc-journal.com/index.php/JSC/article/view/1218

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): Special Issue of the 2026 Science & Cycling Congress | Barcelona - June

Section

Science & Cycling Conference, Barcelona 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Science and Cycling

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